Sheriff’s Kittens to Go program seeks foster homes

By Flora Reigiada

Published: 2018.09.13 11:28 AM

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey introduces the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office’s new lifesaving foster program Kittens to Go to alleviate overcrowding in animal shelters and prepare kittens for adoption.

Senior Life Courtesy of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office

From spring to late summer, Brevard County animal shelters experience an over-abundance of cute, cuddly kittens.

“This small army of needy, furry pets takes a lot of attention to stay healthy before they are ready for their forever homes,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

The kittens’ plight prompted the Sheriff’s Office to create a new, life-saving program — Kittens to Go.

Community members can help by joining Pet Posse Foster Ambassadors, who sign up to care for the kittens in their homes.

“We try not to break up litters, which are generally fostered six to eight weeks,” lvey said.

He explained that fosters receive a Kittens To Go foster kit. It includes dry food, milk replacement, a feeding bottle, a crate, blankets, litter and toys. Each kitten comes with veterinary care, a foster care manual, 24-hour support and a bi-weekly check-up.

“The crate can also serve as a kitty condo to house the kitten safely in your home.” Ivey said.

The need for SPCA volunteers doesn’t end with the kitten season.

Susan Naylor, the public relations coordinator for the SPCA of Brevard, spoke about the importance of having foster homes available throughout the year to save the lives of the defenseless animals.

“In addition to kitten fosters, we always need families who are willing to foster dogs, puppies and adult cats,” she said.

The role of a foster parent is defined on the SPCA of Brevard’s website.

“A foster parent is a person who has the strength to give a special animal a temporary spot in their home, where it can feel loved and safe, thrive and become adoptable.”

The Kittens to Go program is an arm of this mission.

Ivey invited community members to do their part to help Brevard become a more humane community while maintaining its no-kill policy.

For information on how to become
a Pet Posse Foster Ambassador, call 321-633-2024, e-mail fostercoordinator@bcso.us or call the SPCA foster coordinator at 321-567-3615, extension 255.